Owing to lack of sleep, "continual fever & headache", and affection of his lungs unable to lecture tonight, but will be able to on Monday; asks Yates or Mr Corrie to lecture instead or to give some kind of notice. Will be able to make up the full course but will have to give up all dining, calling, and talking. Anxious that nothing should be said of his indisposition.

Account of his return journey [from Birmingham], which included a week long visit to London and a brief stay in Oxford, where his pamphlet ["A defence of the Church and Universities of England" (1819)] was much admired; concedes that with his appointment to "Flora Graeca" he has been met "uniformly with liberality, both in publick and private".

Has signed a letter of thanks, along with other members of his congregation, to Mr Aspland, for his two letters printed in the London papers "in defence of our abused & caluminated sect". Very busy but hopes to take his "English Flora" in hand. Thanks for gift of "elegant volume". Hopes Yates will allow him to return favour of Yate's hospitality. His compliments to the Corrie family. The specimens of Birmingham manufacture all much approved.

Thanks for Yates' letter, pleased he enjoyed his time at Norwich. Heard great things of Yates at Holkham [Hall, Norfolk, home of Thomas William Coke] and his skill with Coke's manuscripts. Asks Yates' opinion of Coke's marriage [in 1822 Coke married Lady Anne Amelia Keppel (1803-1844), 50 years his junior]; "Tories and bigots [...] hate Mr Coke for his virtues, but still more for his happiness".

Sorry to hear reports of Yates' father's [John Yates (1755-1826), Unitarian minister] ill health, "his loss will ill be supplied whenever he is taken away"; receives supports from his sister Martin, who is attached to Yates' family. Engaged with his "English Flora" and has little time for letter writing. Hopes to see Yates in London, he intends to be there from 5 May to till after 4 June.

Only recently received Yates' letter of 10 March [1824]; his ill health last summer and almost total interruption of his literary labours and correspondence have kept him in state of estrangement from many friends, and now he is recovered his work on "English Flora" takes all his time, he "cannot write books and letters too". Explains delay in receiving Yates' letter, caused by it getting caught up in his niece Martin's "drapery". Recollections of Yates' new area of residence in Birmingham.

His illness prevented him from going to London at all in 1824, having never missed a year before. Intends to go to London in April this year, hopes to see Yates' and Mrs James Yates there. Approves of [William] Roscoe's work [see RelatedMaterial below], hopes he can go on with it. Asks after his Birmingham friends the Corries and Dr Johnstone.

Thanks for Yates' letter of 29 March 1825, no longer sure of where Yates is living but hopes this gets to Liverpool, [Lancashire], free. Thinks Yates' 'Linum' is 'L. arboreum'; observations. Read account of Dr [Samuel] Parr's [(1747-1825), schoolmaster] funeral "with very great pleasure", presumes it is Yates' own composition. Returns a letter; believes the item Yates saw is a "Chinese device for reckoning" but was unable to consult Mr Donce at Kensington about it. Admired Yates' friend [Howard] Ryland "very much", saw his uncle in Bristol and London in 1825. Going on with fourth volume of "English flora", which all his time this spring is devoted to.